Worcester panel wants to know if Ed Augustus wants to stay as city manager

Thursday

Mar 20, 2014 at 6:00 AMMar 20, 2014 at 1:59 PM

By Nick Kotsopoulos TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WORCESTER — The listening sessions for the city manager search are over.

The public has had its say on what it would like to see in the person hired for the long-term appointment; now the City Council waits to hear from the current city manager, Edward M. Augustus Jr., on whether he wants to stay on as the city's chief executive beyond the Oct. 3 expiration of his nine-month contract.

Though they did not flatly state it, members of the City Council Municipal Operations Committee and Mayor Joseph M. Petty intimated Wednesday night that Mr. Augustus would be the leading candidate for long-term appointment if he is interested.

But they made it clear they want to hear from him about his intentions as soon as possible.

"(Mr. Augustus) has shown he can do the job," Mr. Petty said at the conclusion of the Municipal Operations Committee's fifth and final listening session held at East Side American Legion Post 201.

"If he's interested in it, he should say he's interested. Once we start the process, if he doesn't come out and say he is interested (in the long-term appointment), then we will move forward."

The city is soliciting proposals from professional management consulting firms to assist the City Council in its city manager search.

The deadline for bids is March 26. The city's purchasing agent will evaluate the proposals submitted and make a recommendation to the City Council for hiring a company.

The Municipal Operations Committee Wednesday also unveiled a summary of attributes for the city manager's job based on the testimony it heard at the five listening sessions.

District 2 Councilor Philip P. Palmieri, chairman of the committee, said those attributes include: an appreciation for Worcester's unique neighborhoods and supports efforts to strengthen them; a passion for education and the Worcester public schools; a vision for the future of the city and can build on the work that has been done; and has a familiarity with the city.

While the last attribute seems to indicate that a local person would be preferred for the job, Mr. Palmieri said the City Council will be open to a nationwide search as well.

The committee's recommendation will go before the entire City Council for approval at its meeting on April 1.

Mr. Augustus, who succeeded former City Manger Michael V. O'Brien on Jan. 6, has said he intends to return to his job as director of the office of government and community relations at the College of the Holy Cross after his contract as city manager expires on Oct. 3.

Also, in the employment agreement he signed with the City Council Mr. Augustus agreed not to seek an extension of the term of his contract nor participate in any search or recruitment process conducted by the City Council.

But Mr. Petty said the most important thing is making sure the right person is appointed for the job.

"Ed Augustus is a man of integrity and honesty," the mayor said. "This is about the future of the city of Worcester and that's more important than anything else."

Eleven people testified before the Municipal Operations Committee Wednesday, raising the total number over the five listening sessions held to 50.

Gary J. Vecchio, president of the Shrewsbury Street Neighborhood Association, said he would like to see Mr. Augustus state his intentions by Tuesday — if he still plans on leaving after Oct. 3.

"We need to hear from City Manager Augustus by Tuesday," Mr. Vecchio said. "If we hear nothing, then there should be a nationwide search."

Steve Quist, a June Street resident, urged the City Council not to wait to hear from Mr. Augustus, but said instead the council should offer him the long-term appointment.

He said Mr. Augustus is a perfect fit for the job, based on his background, integrity and the respect he has in the community.

"That's what it's all about," Mr. Quist said. "You should offer him the job and not waste any time with a search. You've got something good, now go get it."

Former City Councilor Wayne Griffin said including Mr. Augustus for consideration for the long-term appointment after he said he had no interest would "poison the well" of the search process.

"People expect an honest and fair process," Mr. Griffin said. "Don't move the goal posts or change the rules in the third quarter of the game; do the right thing."

Charles T. Gruszka, a Coburn Avenue resident, said he would be disappointed if Mr. Augustus had a change of heart regarding the long-term appointment because he has said multiple times that he was not interested in it. He added that Mr. Augustus also agreed to wording in his contract that pretty much preclude him as a candidate for the job.

Mr. Gruszka said people who serve in leadership positions need to be held to their word or it could erode public confidence in them.

But Leonard Ciuffredo, chairman of the Brown Square Crime Watch, said he would have no problem if Mr. Augustus has a change of heart.

"(Mr. Augustus) is a very fine individual and if he changes his mind I encourage the City Council to give him all due diligence," Mr. Ciuffredo said.

Contact Nick Kotsopoulos at nicholas.kotsopoulos@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @NCKotsopoulos

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